But I've heard insured people complain about the quality of their care being drastically reduced by having universal healthcare so I wondered if there was a stigma or a marked difference in diagnosis, care, treatment options, etc

really? i can see where people would take issue with network variations (meaning the docs/hosp that are offered plan vs plan) as well as total out of pocket costs but quality of care? hmmmmmmmm...that's something totally different...

I am aware that some people that are covered by health insurance go to free clinics when they want to be tested for something that they do not want their spouse/live in partner to know of (If they go to their regular doctor under their insurance, an EOB - Explanation of Benefits, will be mailed to their house and their spouse may get the mail first and find out that they have had a pregnancy test/HIV or STD test. That is actually extremely common at free clinics.

yep...

TC, we in the industry also know that some people go to free clinics when they do not want certain tests and diagnoses to go onto their 'MIB Report" (their permanent record) because they do not want to be rejected for life insurance, (or health insurance back when there was still a pre-existing condition clause) etc

yep... girl some of the household claim mysteries i've had to untangle in my dayz....lordt.

But I've heard insured people complain about the quality of their care being drastically reduced by having universal healthcare so I wondered if there was a stigma or a marked difference in diagnosis, care, treatment options, etc

But the thing is, though we have the ACA/Obamacare, we still do not have true Universal Healthcare here, so it can not be compared -The free clinics are pretty much resources for preventive health, and are not for comprehensive healthcare.

You cant compare a free medical center with free basic testing to a public or private insurance plan.

At this point, I'm not sure I care about people getting HIV due to their
own actions. People have enough education to prevent it, they just
choose not to. For the same reasons people engage in other reckless
behavior...they feel like it.

I do think HIV tests should be
required for jobs and school (like TB tests and the meningitis vaccine)
and any health related government assistance program. That might help
lessen some of the transmission.

Why do people flood the emergency rooms if there is top quality care in the free clinics?

lol...people who have insurance flood the emergency room unnecessarily. this is a fact. and this is why the copay (people with insurance) for emergency room visits has consistently crepped up. this is why urgent care facilities have become so common. industry studies show most people are really care adverse. people wait until the last minute possible to seek treatment. also, clinics have set operating hours and are generally not meant for serious medical issues.

Why do people flood the emergency rooms if there is top quality care in the free clinics?

Personal experience, it is a bit easier to deal with sickness/pain when you get a bed and a free meal. Even if you have to wait for a while first, at least you get to lie down once you get in, they'll feed you if it won't interfere with your illness, and it's a one stop shop for all the tests you might need. Sitting in uncomfortable chairs at the docs office or urgent care and then being told you have to run here and there for different tests is absolutely not the business when you are sick.

Another thing, and I do this, is that my insurance will cover me at any hospital if I am admitted through the emergency room. So I go to the emergency at the hospital where they have private rooms and free wifi instead of the one that isn't as fancy.

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